The hit came after Brees had already fallen on the ground. Knighton didn't think someone had touched Brees yet.

"It was going to be a sack, so me and Tyson raced for it," Knighton said.

Brees thought the whistle had blown. He got up and shoved Knighton and a light scuffle ensued. The Saints were leading 23-10 at the time and Brees threw a deep shot to the end zone (that fell incomplete) on the very next play.

Knighton and his agent Drew Rosenhaus appealed the fine, arguing that no whistle had blown, and it was completely overturned.

Knighton might not be playing this weekend against the Indianapolis Colts. He suffered a bone bruise when he was cut blocked in the game against the Houston Texans. Knighton said if there was a game last week he had no chance of playing. This week he's more optimistic.